Letters: The DRDO dilemma

While the abrupt sacking of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Avinash Chander, the architect of the Agni ballistic missiles, 15 months before the end of his tenure, came as a bolt from the blue for defence scientists, the justification offered by the defence minister that he would prefer a younger person to head this crucial organisation sounds phoney.

Even though the contract of engagement ends on January 31, Chander has not been allowed to continue as DRDO chief for the remaining fortnight. This is perhaps unprecedented. A scheduled meeting with a delegation from a western country on Wednesday had to be cancelled at the eleventh hour. In the weeks ahead, the DRDO will have to be consulted on important technology-transfer issues with the US. An Indo-US framework agreement in defence is due for renewal during President Barack Obama's visit to New Delhi later this month. The defence minister must take the nation into confidence and come clean on the issue

S K Choudhury Bengaluru

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